Cathedral College of the Immaculate Conception - Annual Yearbook (Brooklyn, NY)

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A N N U A L l 9 3 6 0 ' St. Thomas More Literary Society T. THOMAS MORE has a great many wise and witty sayings in his fine writings. But it was rather in view of what another famous Englishman of letters, Francis Bacon, said about reading making a full man and writing an exact man, that a literary society was started at Cathedral College. Father Mulrooney, whose years as a professor of English have bred in him an interest in sponsoring good reading tastes among the students and a whimsical faith in the impossible, first conceived the idea and began igniting little sparks of interest here and there among the student body. Gradually the heat of enthusiasm spread and, although we have not reached anything like a conflagration, yet for the eight months since October a small but steady flame has been kept burning. The club is formed of students from fourth and fifth years. At present that is the only actual restriction upon membership. All things else vary with the individual member. An ideal member, however, is one who either derives entertainment and profit from good literature and wants to increase his capa- city for enjoyment and profit or else one who, although having done little reading, is convinced of the latent pleasures of literature and is eager to be introduced to them. He is one, moreover, who is willing to criticize and be criticized, to contribute his ideas to the forum at the end of each meeting and to submit original work, poetry, short stories, etc., when such is the order of the day. l-le is not a litteratus , he is not one who thinks he KNOWS all about about literature but one who wants to LEARN all about it. At the first meeting, deciding that the dual aspect of the fame of Thomas More as Saint and scholar was not incompatible with our particular interests, we called ourselves the St. Thomas More Literary Society. We include about twenty-five in number. At some meetings we discussed an author, the order consisting of papers on his life and works, readingsfrom his works, criticism of papers, questions and discussion. Authors thus far discussed have included our patron St. Thomas More, Francis Thompson and Mark Twain. A few of the meetings have been enlivened by reviews of current books. After a few months of such procedure we decided upon an innovation which proved very popular. We select a particular branch of literature, e.g., the short story, poetry, have papers read on the history and technique of that particular form and have original work submitted voluntarily by any member. This program has proved less formal and more agreeable. lt has also fostered a more spirited discussion. A literary society in Cathedral is not something entirely new. Two pre- vious ones existed at various times in the history of the College and both died after an early blossom. Profiting by these experiences we are guarding against over-enthusiasm, and too lofty ambitions. Father Mulrooney, our faculty adviser, and Mr. Weldon have aided us by their suggestions and efforts to keep interest alive. We are grateful. We feel that a literary group such as ours has a place in Cathedral and we are determined to make it a permanent part of the life at the College. lll

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ST. THOMAS MORE LITERARY SOCIETY

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THE ANNUAL STAFF